Dental Implant FAQs

Yes, dental implants may still be possible even if you have been told that you have very little bone. Lack of bone does not automatically mean that you cannot have dental implants.

I have been treating dental implant patients since 1988 and have seen implant dentistry change enormously during that time. Today we have different implant sizes and techniques available, including short implants and bone grafting, which can make treatment possible in situations that were once much more difficult to manage.

The important thing is not simply how much bone you have, but its location, quality and whether we can create a predictable, maintainable result. I assess this carefully before recommending treatment.

If you have previously been told that you don’t have enough bone for dental implants, it may be worth having your case reassessed.

Yes. Dental implants can be used to replace several missing teeth, and you don’t necessarily need one implant for every missing tooth.

When several teeth are missing together, dental implants can often be used to support a fixed bridge. For example, two or more implants may support several replacement teeth, depending on the position of the missing teeth, the available bone and the way your teeth come together when you bite.

This can avoid preparing healthy neighbouring teeth to support a conventional bridge and, for suitable patients, can provide a fixed alternative to a removable partial denture.

I have been placing dental implants since 1988, and the important part of treating multiple missing teeth is planning the whole result rather than simply replacing each tooth individually. I assess the bone, bite and remaining teeth before deciding how many implants are actually needed.

The number of implants required is different for every patient and can only be determined after a full assessment.

Yes. Dental implants can be used to secure a loose or unstable denture, helping it feel much firmer and more comfortable when you eat, speak and smile.

For many patients, this is one of the simplest ways dental implants can make a significant difference. A small number of implants can be used to support a removable denture using attachments that allow the denture to click securely into place.

The denture can still be removed for cleaning, but the implants help prevent the movement and lifting that people often experience with conventional dentures. In some cases, attachments can even be fitted to an existing suitable denture rather than making a completely new one.

I have been placing dental implants since 1988, and there are several ways of stabilising dentures with implants. The right approach depends on your existing denture, the amount and position of available bone and what you would like to achieve.

If loose dentures are making it difficult to eat, speak or feel confident, an implant assessment can establish whether your denture could be stabilised with dental implants.

Yes. If you are nervous or anxious about dental implant treatment, there are several ways we can make the experience more comfortable and manageable.

I regularly treat patients who are anxious about dental treatment, including people who have avoided the dentist for many years. The first step is understanding what worries you. For some patients, taking things slowly and explaining the treatment carefully is enough; others may benefit from sedation.

Depending on your individual needs, options can include oral sedation or intravenous (IV) sedation. These can help you feel much more relaxed while your dental implant treatment is carried out.

I have been placing dental implants since 1988, and experience has taught me that nervous patients need time, reassurance and a treatment plan tailored to them rather than simply being told not to worry.

Being nervous does not necessarily prevent you from having dental implants. We can discuss your concerns at your consultation and decide which approach would make treatment most comfortable for you.

Not necessarily. The cost of a dental implant does not by itself determine its quality, but the implant system used and the support available for it in the future are important considerations.

There are many different dental implant systems available. I prefer to use established implant systems from manufacturers with a long track record, good clinical evidence and reliable ongoing support.

This matters because a dental implant may need maintaining many years after it is placed. If a component such as an abutment or screw ever needs replacing, it is important that compatible components can still be identified and obtained.

I have been placing dental implants since 1988, so I have seen implant systems and manufacturers come and go. For me, choosing an implant is not simply about its initial cost; I consider its clinical evidence, reliability and the likelihood of being able to maintain it in the long term.

If you are comparing dental implant treatment based on price, ask which implant system will be used, why it has been chosen and how your implant will be maintained in the future.

Dental implants need regular care, just like natural teeth. Good daily cleaning and professional maintenance are important for keeping the gums and tissues around your implants healthy.

Although dental implants cannot develop tooth decay, plaque and biofilm can build up around them and cause inflammation in the surrounding tissues. Cleaning carefully around the implant, the restoration and between the teeth is therefore very important.

I recommend regular professional maintenance so that the health of the tissues around your implants can be monitored. Your dental hygienist can check for inflammation, bleeding and other changes, as well as helping you find the most effective way to clean around your particular implant restoration.

How often you need maintenance will depend on your individual needs, your gum health and how easy the implant is to keep clean.

Good daily cleaning, regular professional maintenance and early assessment of any problems give your dental implants the best chance of remaining healthy for many years.

Dental implants are designed to be a long-term treatment and, with good care, can remain successful for many years. However, no dental implant can be guaranteed to last for a particular length of time.

How long an implant lasts depends on several factors, including the health of the bone and gums around it, oral hygiene, smoking, general health, the forces placed on the implant and regular professional maintenance.

It is also useful to distinguish between the implant itself and the tooth or restoration attached to it. The implant may remain healthy while the crown, bridge or other components require maintenance, repair or replacement over time.

I have been placing dental implants since 1988 and have seen many patients whose implants have functioned successfully for decades. Long-term success comes from careful treatment planning, appropriate implant placement and looking after the implant once treatment is complete.

Regular cleaning, professional maintenance and having any changes checked promptly give your dental implants the best chance of remaining healthy and functional for as long as possible.

Loose or unstable dentures can often be made much more secure. Dental implants are one option and can provide additional support so that your denture moves less when you eat, speak and smile.

There are several ways of stabilising a denture with dental implants. In some cases, a small number of implants can be placed and fitted with attachments that allow a removable denture to click securely into position. Depending on the circumstances, it may even be possible to adapt an existing suitable denture.

The best solution depends on several factors, including the fit and condition of your current denture, the amount and position of available bone, your bite and what you would like to achieve. Some patients may benefit from a relatively simple solution, while others may be better suited to conventional implants or a fixed implant-supported restoration.

If your dentures are loose or uncomfortable, an implant assessment can help determine the most appropriate way to make them more secure.

Dental implants are usually placed using local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. For patients who are particularly anxious about treatment, sedation may also be an option.

A dental implant is carefully positioned into the jawbone in the area of the missing tooth or teeth. The procedure is planned in advance using your examination and appropriate imaging so that the position of the implant can be assessed carefully before treatment begins.

Once the implant has been placed, it is usually allowed time to integrate with the surrounding bone. The length of this healing period varies depending on the individual situation. In some cases, a temporary tooth or restoration can be provided while healing takes place.

When the implant is ready, it can be used to support the final replacement tooth, bridge or other restoration.

Every implant procedure is individually planned, and I will explain what is involved, the anaesthetic or sedation options available and what you can expect afterwards before you decide to proceed.

Dental implants usually need a period of healing before they are ready to support their final restoration, but the time required varies from patient to patient.

After an implant is placed, the bone gradually heals around its surface in a process called osseointegration. Depending on the site of the implant, the quality of the bone, whether bone grafting has been required and other individual factors, this may take several weeks to a few months.

In some situations, an implant can support a temporary tooth soon after it is placed. In others, allowing the implant to heal without loading it provides a more predictable approach.

Once I am satisfied that the implant has integrated successfully, the restorative stage can begin. Digital scans or impressions can then be used to produce the final implant crown, bridge or other restoration.

There is no single healing time that is right for every dental implant. I assess each implant individually and will advise when it is ready for the next stage of treatment.